Sarkozy's cabinet team announced

Bernard Kouchner is a bold choice by President Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled a slimmed-down government, giving half the jobs to women. Read original article

The new Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, 67, is a Socialist famous for having founded the aid organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Prime Minister Francois Fillon's team of 15 includes former PM Alain Juppe, to handle environmental policy.

Former Social Cohesion Minister Jean-Louis Borloo will manage the economy and employment.

Mr Fillon's cabinet numbers just 15 ministers, rather than the previous 30.

Prime Minister Fillon (left) managed Mr Sarkozy's election campaign

This is part of Mr Sarkozy's plans to cut costs and make the French government more efficient.

That reduced number has led to fierce competition for cabinet jobs.

Mr Kouchner's pro-American line should fit in well with Mr Sarkozy's thinking, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports. He was one of the few French politicians to support the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, on the grounds that it would topple Saddam Hussein.

Prominent women

Of the female candidates, France will have its first ethnic minority figure as the head of the justice ministry - Mr Sarkozy's spokeswoman Rachida Dati.

Former Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie goes to the interior ministry, with former Trade Minister Christine Lagarde going to agriculture - a key job, with world trade discussions going on and EU farming subsidies up for debate again soon.

Jacques Chirac's former Prime Minister Alain Juppe will head a ministry overseeing sustainable development, environment and transport.

Defence has gone to centrist MP Herve Morin, who heads the UDF party in parliament.

• French presidency